Alameda, Calif. — March 3, 2017 — The Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), a public magnet and early college high school in Alameda Unified School District (AUSD), received a prestigious Green Ribbon Award from the California Department of Education today.

The Green Ribbon Schools program honors schools, school districts, and institutes of higher education for excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. ASTI won a “silver award” from the program this year.

The awards were given out at a news conference at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach this morning. Representatives of the other winning programs also attended the ceremony and spoke of their work. “These schools and districts serve as role models for their students in two important ways,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a press release. “First, they manage their own facilities wisely by saving energy, conserving water, and reducing their impact on the environment. Next, they provide innovative education programs that teach students about nature, the importance of clean air and water, and how to make good choices to preserve the environment for future generations.”

ASTI science and PE teacher Todd Higashi accepted the award on behalf of his school.

Supporting an active Green Club that maintains the garden and volunteers with Ploughshares Nursery, the Golden Gate Audubon Society, and Community Action for Sustainable Alameda

Maintaining a successful recycling and compost system

Participating in energy efficiency and conservation efforts through both AUSD and the College of Alameda

Encouraging a “no-bullying” culture that relies on restorative justice rather than punishment to help students learn non-confrontational ways of interacting

“I am honored and excited to see ASTI win this award,” said Principal Tracy Corbally. “This is the result of years of hard work, visionary thinking, and environmental commitment on the part of our students, staff, and families.” Principal Corbally especially expressed gratitude to Chantal Currid, an ASTI parent and member of the Alameda Green Schools Challenge steering committee, who prepared the lengthy and very detailed application for submission last fall.

“ASTI’s emphasis on sustainability, school climate, and social justice is nothing short of awesome,” said Superintendent Sean McPhetridge. “I am so grateful to the work of the ASTI community and our partnership with the Peralta Community College District, which has allowed the school to make available courses and volunteer opportunities that help ASTI students grow as both learners and stewards of our environment.”

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) serves about 9500 students in Alameda, California, an island community in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit the AUSD website, follow @AUSDNews on Twitter, or subscribe to our email communications. Questions? Contact Susan Davis, Senior Manager, Community Affairs, at sdavis@alameda.k12.ca.us.

The Alameda Unified School District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, family or marital status, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please go to http://tinyurl.com/AUSD-NonDiscr-Policy.